Retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz has been unsuccessful in his appeal to reverse a ruling that rejected his defamation lawsuit against CNN. The lawsuit stemmed from CNN’s reporting on statements Dershowitz made during President Donald Trump’s 2020 impeachment trial. The ruling, upheld on Friday, marks a setback for Dershowitz in his legal pursuit against the news network.

The original lawsuit was filed following CNN’s coverage of remarks made by Dershowitz during Trump’s impeachment proceedings. The lawsuit alleged defamation by CNN in its reporting of Dershowitz’s statements, leading to the legal battle between the prominent lawyer and the news outlet.

Despite Dershowitz’s efforts to challenge the initial dismissal of his lawsuit, the appeal was not successful. The decision to uphold the ruling represents a significant development in the legal dispute, highlighting the complexities and nuances of defamation cases involving public figures and media organizations.

While details of the appeal process and the specific grounds for the court’s decision have not been extensively disclosed, the outcome underscores the challenges faced by individuals pursuing defamation claims against media entities. Legal experts suggest that cases involving public figures like Dershowitz often face high legal thresholds in proving defamation, considering the First Amendment protections granted to freedom of the press.

In response to the upheld ruling, neither Dershowitz nor representatives from CNN have publicly commented on the latest development in the case. The outcome of this appeal reaffirms the legal landscape surrounding defamation claims, particularly in the context of media coverage and public figures, leaving Dershowitz to navigate the complexities of his legal recourse in this matter.